Moscow Says Care should Be Taken with Visa Restrictions Against TransdnIestrian Authorities

Moscow says care should be taken with imposing visa restrictions against TransdnIestrian authorities, Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told journalists commenting on the visa restrictions against Transdniestrian authorities imposed by the European Union and the United States.

According to him, "visa restrictions as well as any other sanctions are a sensitive instrument which does not stand carelessness and must be imposed to consolidate the constructive impact on the Transdniestrian authorities, instead of undermining it." Moscow believes that with the progress looming ahead in settling the Transdniestrian crisis through dialogue, it is important to avoid moves that might reverse its positive dynamics.

Russia is interested in political settlement of the Transdniestrian crisis based on observing Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity and ensuring Transdniestria's coordinated and guaranteed status, Yakovenko added. "Being a co-mediator in the Transdniestrian crisis settlement and a guarantor of future agreements between Chisinau and Tiraspol, Russia is pleased to note that there appeared a real chance to take the negotiating process to a qualitatively new level," Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out.

Moldovan President proposed that Transdniestria and Moldavia negotiate a new federative constitution and sign an agreement on measures to end the Transdniestrian crisis. Yakovenko believes the move might speed up the negotiating process.

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